Sana’a University President and Minister of Agriculture Discuss Strengthening Partnership to Advance Agricultural Development in Yemen

Sana’a – Monday, June 16, 2025 (20 Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH)
Prof. Mohammed Ahmed Al-Bukhaiti, Sana’a University Rector, emphasized the university’s role as “Yemen’s pioneering home of expertise.” He stated that it is the university’s responsibility to dedicate its academic and scientific resources to supporting national institutions—especially the Ministry of Agriculture —to address the challenges facing Yemen’s agricultural sector.
His remarks came during a joint meeting with Dr. Radwan Ali Al-Rubai, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Mohammed Hajer, Director of the Agriculture Office in the Capital Secretariat – Sana’a, along with several deans and academic specialists.
Prof. Al-Bukhaiti highlighted the importance of enhancing collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, noting that it creates significant opportunities for turning theoretical knowledge into practical solutions that contribute to agricultural development. He stressed the need for university research to be directed toward addressing real-world agricultural issues and meeting the needs of farmers.
He also called for activating memoranda of understanding between the university and the Ministry, aligning academic curricula with on-the-ground realities, and leveraging the resources of the Faculty of Agriculture, including its modern laboratories and teaching farm, to expand hands-on training and applied research activities both on and off campus.
For his part, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Radwan Al-Rubai, commended the university’s leading role, stating: “We regard the university as a strategic partner and a vital scientific contributor in shaping modern agricultural policies, and we are on the threshold of a new phase of productive cooperation.”
He added that the Ministry, in collaboration with the university, has worked to enhance agricultural educational programs to meet the demands of the labor market. He emphasized “the value of integrating theory with practice in agricultural education” and expressed the Ministry’s “readiness to organize joint workshops, offer access to Ministry farms for student training, and collaborate in developing and training staff in the agricultural sector.”
Both parties agreed that this partnership would help produce scientifically grounded, applicable solutions to Yemen’s food security challenges and promote sustainable development through research-driven innovation and high-quality workforce training.
The meeting was also attended by Prof. Abdulraouf Al-Shawkani, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Prof. Mohammed Rawah, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture; Prof. Abdulmalik Issa, Dean of the Faculty of Arts; Prof. Mohammed Mahyoub, Director of the Center of Genetic Resources at the Faculty of Agriculture; Dr. Abdulwadood Al-Nuzaili, Director of the Computer Center; and Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Sabri, General Director of University Gardens.